[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 212 (Friday, November 3, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 51225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-23968]



[[Page 51225]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Availability of the Draft Integrated City of Norfolk Coastal 
Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study Report/Environmental Impact 
Statement, Norfolk, VA

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability and public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District, in 
cooperation with our non-federal sponsor, the City of Norfolk, announce 
the availability of a Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and 
Environmental Impact Statement (Draft IFR/EIS) for the City of Norfolk 
Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study, for review and 
comment. The study evaluates identified flood risks and develops and 
evaluates coastal storm risk management measures for the City of 
Norfolk. These measures were formulated to reduce flood risk to 
residents, industries and businesses which are critical to the Nation's 
economy in ways that support the long-term resilience due to sea level 
rise, local subsidence and storms, within the City of Norfolk. Pursuant 
to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, 
the USACE determined that the project has the potential to have 
significant environmental impacts, and developed the draft EIS to 
examine and assess the impacts of all proposed action.

DATES: The Draft IFR/EIS is available for a 45-day review period, 
pursuant to the NEPA. Written comments pursuant will be accepted until 
the close of public review on the close of business on December 29, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: Questions or comments concerning the Draft IFR/EIS may be 
directed to: Ms. Kathy Perdue, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk 
District, 803 Front Street, Norfolk, VA 23510 or 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Kathy Perdue, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Norfolk District phone number (757) 201-7218, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of the public involvement process, 
notice is hereby given by the USACE, Norfolk District, of a public 
review meeting that will be held on November 16, 2017, from 5:30 to 
8:00 p.m., at the Attucks Theater located at 1010 Church Street, 
Norfolk, VA 23510. The public meeting will allow participants the 
opportunity to comment and ask questions on the Draft IFR/EIS. 
Attendance at the public meeting is not necessary to provide comments. 
Written comments may also be given to the contact listed under 
ADDRESSES.
    The document is available for review at the following locations:
    (1) The Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Study Web site: 
http://www.nao.usace.army.mil/NCSRM.
    (2) Copies at all City of Norfolk, Virginia Public Libraries.
    Proposed Action. The Study Area is the City of Norfolk. The 
Proposed Action will include construction of the following measures 
within the City: Storm surge barriers with gate openings near the 
mouths of four waterways: The Lafayette River, Pretty Lake, The Hague, 
and Broad Creek; floodwalls flanking the barriers and near waterways at 
locations from Lamberts Point to Broad Creek; berms; tide gates at 
various points to prevent storm surge; generator buildings and pumps; 
nonstructural measures and ringwall components to protect existing 
structures; and Natural and Nature-Based features. Implementation of 
the Proposed Action would impact floodplains, wetlands, mudflats, 
federally listed threatened or endangered species, and marine mammals, 
and other resources. The Proposed Action must be located in a 
floodplain in order to reduce flood risk behind the flood protection 
system. The Proposed Action will adhere to the 8-step process as 
outlined under Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, including 
consideration of sea level rise.
    Alternatives. The Draft IFR/EIS considers a full range of 
nonstructural and structural flood risk management alternatives that 
meet the Proposed Action's purpose and need and incorporate measures to 
avoid and minimize impacts to the maximum extent practicable. 
Alternatives included: (1) The No Build/Future Without Project 
Alternative, (2) a Structural Only Project Alternative, (3) a 
Nonstructural Only Project Alternative, and (4) a dual Structural and 
Nonstructural Project Alternative, which is the Preferred Alternative/
Proposed Action.
    Public Involvement. A Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS was 
published on April 29, 2016, in the Federal Register (81 FR 25656). A 
public scoping meeting was held on May 25, 2016, and a follow-up public 
meeting was held on June 8, 2017, both in the City of Norfolk. The U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency serves as a cooperating agency for this 
project.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-23968 Filed 11-2-17; 8:45 am]
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